Hidden Artists, Hidden Crises. Insights into German Songwriters’ Life Worlds and (Mental Health) Challenges Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The article focuses on professional songwriters, who have been subject to much attention, neither in public nor academic discourse. It discusses the individual and subjective perceptions of the artists’ life worlds. Based on narrative-biographical interviews with twelve songwriters, the paper elaborates on (a) the self-perceptions and motivations of the artists, (b) the mental challenges of their work routines and environment, and (c) the impact of the pandemic on these aspects of their (professional) lives. The study not only shows how pandemic-related factors such as the lack of commissions or the canceling of sessions and collaborations have detrimental effects on the work- and living conditions of songwriters; it furthermore becomes apparent that the activities of songwriters are affected by personal challenges and structural problems of the music business (e.g., financial insecurity, unpredictable schedules, lack of acknowledgement, discrimination of women). These adverse conditions may lead to (psychological) burdens that may cause or further the development of mental illness.